Montefiore in the News

Bruce Schwartz, M.D., to Assume Presidency at Meeting’s Conclusion

May 15, 2019—(BRONX, NY)—Psychiatry and behavioral sciences experts from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System will play key roles in the upcoming American Psychiatric Association (APA) annual meeting, which will be held in San Francisco from May 18 through 22.

Bruce Schwartz, M.D., deputy chair, clinical director, and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Einstein and Montefiore will present a keynote address at the meeting’s opening plenary. Dr. Schwartz, who assumes the role of president when the meeting concludes, will set out his goals and advocacy plans. He also will lead sessions on diversity, improving patient safety, and planned collaborations with the Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology.

“I’m honored to lead the APA as we work on critical mental health issues, including patient access to affordable, evidence-based services and treatments and the elimination of stigmas and discrimination for people with mental illness,” said Dr. Schwartz.

Dr. Schwartz previously served as treasurer of the APA. He also is a member of the board of directors of Vibrant Emotional Health, formerly the Mental Health Association of New York City. Last fall, Dr. Schwartz chaired and was among the speakers at a Capitol Hill Senate briefing on suicide and opioid use disorder.

Eric Hollander, M.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of the Autism and Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Program at Einstein and Montefiore, will chair a 90-minute symposium on the latest evidence-based treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The session also features presentations by program staff members Casara Ferretti, M.S., clinical research associate, and Asif Rahman, a research fellow.

Dr. Hollander has conducted numerous clinical trials investigating the use of a variety of compounds and treatments to target common, challenging behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorder. He is leading the first large clinical trial in the U.S.to test the effectiveness of a compound found in marijuana on certain behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder.

“We hope to raise awareness and expertise in the practical management of ASD and new cutting-edge treatments,” said Dr. Hollander. “We’ll review the numerous complementary and integrative ASD treatments, along with their risks and benefits.”

Other Einstein and Montefiore experts, David Albert, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Einstein, and Daniel Scalise, M.D., resident physician at Montefiore, also are presenting posters on their research.